Dedicated to Serving Children and Young Adults

Meridian Services' Club Ventures Respite Program serves children or young adults with developmental disabilities who have been referred by their county case manager. The program offers creative activities with experienced staff at a central location in the community during school breaks.

Families with children and young adults with developmental disabilities continually face many challenges. During school breaks, they have the added responsibility of providing care for their children while meeting regular work and family demands. They may have difficulty keeping their children active during breaks. Club Ventures provides an opportunity for these children and young adults to relax and enjoy themselves. The parents know their children are in a positive, safe, educational environment tailored to meet individual needs and desires.

Staff Training

Meridian's quality staff provide children and young adults with the utmost safety and assistance in self care, medical care, mobility, and behavioral needs. Our staff members have been trained in many areas including safety, first aid, medication administration,
community integration, occupational therapy and physical therapy, programming and activities, communication methods, positive reinforcement, and behavior management.

Flexible Programming

It is our mission to provide varied experiences for small groups of participants during school breaks. All activities focus on a daily theme. Activities may include physical activities such as ice skating, swimming, volleyball, pool, and foosball; education activities such as cooking, personal safety, social skills, relaxation techniques, and problem solving; community integration activities such as visits to the Mall of America, the Elm Creek Park Reserve and Nature Center, the Minnesota Zoo, the Children's Museum, and Underwater World; as well as vocational experiences such as hearing guest speakers and touring community businesses.

Meridian Services provides families with a listing of potential activities scheduled for the break period, allowing the families and participants to choose which activities they would prefer on any given day. Recommended activities from participants and family members are welcome and may be blended into the schedule.

Family Participation

Families are encouraged to stop in to visit the Club Ventures Respite Program. If they choose, they may attend an activity with their child, or simply enjoy a lunch or snack break with them.